Saturday, March 17, 2012

St. Patricks Day In Dublin, Ireland

Arrived back to Dublin this afternoon and the city is abuzz with St. Patrick's Day parades and parties. I met some really fun people and was having a good time as I made my way home. When I got home Gareth was at work, but I was happily greeted at the door by our cat who didn't even wait for me to sit my bag down before jumping up into my arms and nuzzling my neck.

I'm fighting off a bit of a sore throat and felt a bit sweaty, so I decided to head straight to the bathroom. I stripped off my clothes, gargled with some mouthwash, popped a couple cold pills and took a long hot shower. After brushing my teeth and putting on a pair of black shorts and my lucky green Ireland rugby shirt I'm now plopped on the couch eating a snack and watching the Ireland-England rugby game.

Gareth will be getting home in another hour and we'll be going out tonight to meet some friends for dinner and a few drinks before heading off to a few of our friends parties. Wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick's day. It's the one day of the year when everyone is a little bit Irish.

4 comments:

D
said...

I don't quite know why I'm writing you to tell you this, because we don't know each other. I found this blog by accident many years ago, as a boy who found ireland strangely attractive, and who was hoping to escape some sadness by loving a place away from his own reality. At that time, you had just moved to Ireland for a while and were still fitting in, and you met Hamish and Gareth. (So much for not knowing that much about you. :P now i feel like a stalker.) But reading your blog made my escapist fantasies a little more solid and tangible.

Eventually, I made it to Ireland, and stayed for a few months, before moving back.

It's your blog, so you can do as wish with it. But before you close it down, I thought I'd say why I've been reading for a few years now. I love Ireland of course, and reading about life in ireland connects me to the country and the strange happiness/freedom i feel when i think about ireland.

also, i've come across a lot of kind people in my life. but rarely do i come across a kind blogger online-- someone who isn't skeptical, or cynical or mean-spirited. the anonymity of the internet brings out the worst in people, yet you have managed to remain kind, and honest, and accepting, in spite of that. your kindness has inspired me a lot.

Your first voyage of the season was obviously a success, and I can appreciate the feeling of getting home and celebrating with Gareth. For us on the other side of the Atlantic, St. Patrick's day was green beer - vivid green beer - and lots of green clothes. This Canadian had escaped to the California desert - but none the less found people there in the Irish spirit.

I particularly enjoy your perspectives, whether they be home life, your unique view of your adopted home, or of your thoughts and work when at sea. I would encourage you to evolve this blog - expand your thoughts and ideas. But do keep writing when the spirit moves you.